This tiny apartment in the Montparnasse neighborhood is a collective effort of architects Marc Baillargeon and Julie Nabucet. Converted from a master suite, it is now a 130 square foot dwelling for one. I am very impressed with the use of space in this project. By elevating the kitchen/dining/bathroom area designers created a clever hiding place for a full sized mattress that doubles as a sofa during a day. And of course the place is a showcase for custom made storage. Steps to the second level, desk, wall cabinetry – all these elements allow storing things without cluttering the view of the apartment.
(via inthralld)
Japanese people know a thing or two about living small. It comes as no surprise that the nation overpopulating a tiny island is known for inventive approach to real estate. In this ABC report we can peruse an interesting overview of Japan’s small but very cool and beautiful dwellings and understand the logic behind their design. I was also pleased to see an interview with Azby Brown, whose books I love. Enjoy!
(thank you, Sinisa)
This amazing home has been designed by Brooklyn based architect Tim Seggerman. The initial unit is a tiny 240-square-foot studio apartment with a sleeping loft above the kitchen in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Both designer and the client recall how cluttered and cramped the space has been before the renovation. “You couldn’t imagine a place that was more messed up,” – says Seggerman. His solution was to insert what he calls a “crafted jewel box” into the unused space, creating a cabin-like feel. This was a gratifying choice in many ways, since woodworking is Seggerman’s forte. The result is a beautiful, cleverly segmented interior, that feels warm and secluded. See more images after the break for the full tour.
(via dwell)
This stunningly minimalist small apartment in Thiseio, one of the oldest neighborhoods in downtown Athens, has been built by architect Werner Maritsas. Initially the tiny 32-square-meter space was divided into four rooms and a corridor. So, some serious wall breaking had to take place. “With the first look at the house, I realized the potential,” – says Werner. – To open all the space, to lighten the main area by allowing more natural light in and leading the view to garden was, for me, the only solution. In this spirit I’ve opened completely the house to the garden creating an indoor/outdoor effect and replacing the old light well walls with two floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a more or less dual-light aspect.” Nearly all functional elements in this home exist in the form of built-ins. This approach eliminates visual clutter and creates unity of the surfaces, essential in a small space. Watch the video by Fair Companies to get the tour of the apartment and hear the history of this amazing reno. Also check out Werner’s website for the compelling before-and-afters.
This 60 square meter apartment concept has been envisioned by Russian architect Vlad Mishin. The space is divided lengthwise by sculptural structure, which consists of several transforming blocks made from black metal framework and plywood. The shape of the blocks create a beautiful whimsical surface, it also fits the functionality of each dividing element. Thus, thee of these segments separate the living area from the study/bedroom area. One of these rotating blocks houses a TV, making it visible from either of these rooms. Kitchen equipment is hidden in a niche behind a hinged partition wall, which slides apart. Refrigerator is also hidden in a separate niche. Bathroom door finishes the wall. Nice work, I hope it gets built.
This labirint-like storage filled Paris apartment has been built by H2O architects. Initially the space was divided into six rooms, which made this small 60 square meter duplex look even smaller. Designers decided to break the walls and replace them with movable dividers. Each partition has niches for storage and display, which enhance the space functionally and aesthetically. The reverse sides of the moving walls hide functions like a work space, bathroom or a closet. The dividers can be shifted to change the layout of the apartment depending on a mood or situation.
(via dornob)
If you haven’t seen the famed Life Edited apartment yet – you’ll enjoy the tour. This 420 square feet concept pad in the middle of New York is a prototype for mass built small dwellings, where one room performs like six. And by performing I mean all the things most of us only dream about – dinner parties for 12, accommodations for 2 overnight guests, a home office, a home theater with digital projector and storage. Lots and lots of storage… I also love the overall clean minimalist style of the place. Check out the Life Edited website to see the apartment in more details, read the story and get more space-saving ideas.
Here is one truly inventive small dwelling. Small and also versatile. The story of this unusual home goes back to the year 1996, when Barcelona architects Eva Prats and Ricardo Flores were hired to convert an old community laundry into a penthouse. At just 27 square meters (290 square feet), the space was minimal; it was also just a temporary home for the clients. Since the owners only intended to use the space a couple weekends per month, they didn’t want to build anything fundamental and laborious. Minimal work was their reqiest. Prats and Flores delivered their solution in the form of two suitcases. The above video, shot by Fair Companies, takes us through a day in the life of the Casa en una Maleta (House in a Suitcase), where all the furniture, housewares, and other living whatnots come out of the two trunks, placed in the middle of the room. Enjoy!
Here is a rather unusual treat – a fascinating video shot by the German science magazine “Galileo” about furnishing a small room. A really really small room. Even though the recording is in German – the struggle is universal and should resonate with every showbox dweller on the planet. As for the space-saving ideas shown, they are quite remarkable. Enjoy!
(Thank you, Heiner!)
I don’t usually come back to the same topics, and I have mentioned this apartment in one of my previous posts. But there is something in Kirsten Dirksen‘s films that makes you see the same space from a completely new perspective. And what a space it is… So, I thought a revisit was in order. Enjoy!
